The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons hold private workout with Louisville cornerback
Jaire Alexander is draft’s third-rated player at position.
The Falcons, who hold the 26th pick in the NFL draft, held a private workout with highly rated Louisville corner Jaire Alexander over the weekend, according to a person with knowledge of the workout.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli were on hand for the workout.
Alexander, 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, is the thirdrated cornerback in the draft behind Ohio State’s Denzel Ward and Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Falcons could choose a cornerback in the first round. They are set at left and right corner with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, but now view the nickel back position as a starting spot. Quinn said the Falcons were in their nickel package 70 percent of the time last season.
The Falcons plan to move backup safety Damontae Kazee to nickel back to compete with Brian Poole.
The Falcons had a similar private workout with Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver and safety Afolabi Laguda in March.
Laguda, who played at Brookwood High before going to Butler Community College in Kansas and then to Colorado, also participated in the Falcons’ locals day.
“Alexander isn’t getting any bigger, but he displays the requisite athleticism, intelligence and toughness to fight for immediate starting reps and if his technique and decision-making develop, he will be a NFL difference maker,” according to Dane Brugler’s 2018 NFL draft guide.